About 10 years ago, BMW Motorrad launched the R nineT as it marked its 90th anniversary. Now, as the German marque eclipses its centennial year, it has launched not just one but two successors to its popular retro roadster: the R12 nineT and the R12.
Let’s start with the new roadster, the R12 nineT. This bike still embodies the original R nineT’s design elements, only it’s been further refined. The overall layout from the headlamps to the engine position and the wheels has been retained, but it looks sleeker thanks to the slightly reshaped tank. And as with the O.G. model, the R12 nineT still allows for massive customization.
Powering the R12 nineT is a familiar 1,170cc air-cooled, twin-cylinder boxer engine that generates 109hp and 115Nm of torque. The bike gets a 16-liter fuel tank and weighs 220kg when unladen. It also gets three different ride modes.
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Now, onto the newer model, the R12. This is the same R nineT we’ve all grown to love but in cruiser form. BMW Motorrad’s designers and engineers say this is for those who don’t exactly see themselves on the R18. An apt description, as this does feel like a smaller sibling of BMW’s massive cruiser.
The R12 is powered by the same engine as the R12 nineT, but here it’s been slightly detuned to produce 95hp and 110Nm. It also has a slightly smaller 14-liter fuel tank, a longer frame, and a lower seat height at just 754mm. The goal here was to make the bike more accessible and easier and comfier to ride, and by the looks of it, we reckon that was achieved.
BMW has been on a roll with its bikes this year, and it’ll probably be only a matter of time before this—as well as
More photos of the new BMW R12 nineT and R12:
